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Diesel vehicles, once seen as some of the worst smog offenders with their loud, smoke-spewing engines, have undoubtedly made a comeback in the U.S., and the Detroit News reports that the public’s renewed interest in diesel may continue to grow. This recent resurgence of diesel vehicles has been fueled primarily by German automakers like Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, each of which helped reintroduce America to diesel cars with their cleaner, more efficient oil-burning models. With General Motors now bringing a diesel version of the Chevy Cruze to the U.S., and Mazda also planning to debut a U.S. diesel model by 2013, some analysts suggest diesels could finally step into the mainstream.

Robert Bosch LLC, the company that supplies many automakers with diesel injection systems and other components, expects diesel sales to grow to 10 percent of the U.S. market within the next decade. Such growth could be facilitated by rising gas prices, according to analysts who say the percentage of diesel car buyers would rise if gas prices surpass that of diesel fuel. For now, though, their forecasts are less optimistic.

“We’ve seen a little bit of movement, but it’s still limited to the German carmakers,” Mike Omotoso, powertrain expert at J.D. Power & Associates, told the Detroit News.

Though modern diesels are generally more durable, produce more torque, and deliver 20 to 30 percent better fuel economy on average compared to their gasoline counterparts, they’re also more expensive, commanding a $2000 to $4000 premium, according to Detroit News. Another obstacle preventing diesels from really catching on is the cost of the fuel itself. Detroit News reports that as of last Friday, diesel fuel cost about 65 cents more per gallon than regular unleaded fuel on average across the nation.

Despite those extra costs, diesels are still finding an audience with U.S. buyers. Volkswagen reported a 37-percent increase in diesel vehicle sales in October compared to the same month last year. The German auto giant offers several diesel models in the U.S., including the Golf, Jetta, Touareg, and the mid-size Passat – which we recently named Motor Trend’s Car of the Year. Still, some analysts say that car shoppers aren’t likely to flock to diesel-powered vehicles in large numbers. Those analysts believe that diesel cars, much like hybrids, are likely to remain niche vehicles in the U.S. market.

Not helping the argument for diesel cars is the recently proposed 54.5-mpg fuel economy standard for 2025, which includes many incentives for hybrid and electric vehicles, but none for diesels. VW and Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler AG have refused to stand behind the proposed standards, though 13 other automakers, including Honda, Hyundai, and the Detroit Three voiced their support for the magic 54.5-mpg number in July. With little help from the federal government, diesels may have a harder time entering the mainstream in the U.S.